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Overworld Revamp/Design Discussion

The overworld of SMWCP2 was a very ambitious endeavor when it was first conceived. An entirely customized overworld with new graphics, world-specific music, with little to no trace of vanilla overworld elements left. However, Overworld hacking has changed quite a lot since 2011. Now we have access to Overworld ExAnimation, two entirely new graphics slots, and overworld sprites. This means we have additional space to draw more graphics for specific worlds or levels, or embellish the overworld with sprite details.


This is how the SMWCP2 overworld looks right now, for reference.


One critique of the current overworld comes from Rameau's Nephew, and this is what he said about each map:
-The main map is good, but due to the aforementioned advancements in OW hacking we have now we can afford to spice it up some more.
-World 3 (Eastern) is good enough and is dazzling. A few more details to emphasize its theme wouldn't hurt though.
-World 6 (Carnival) is good, but it needs a graphical overhaul since the stone platforms should be a wooden boardwalk instead. Also the roller coasters are too linear and could do with looking a bit more interesting.
-World 7 (Sky) isn't bad, but it is a bit disappointing to him.
-World 8 (Fire/Ice) was originally meant to be mirrored between the fire and ice halves of the world, according to him. The map doesn't really look too good or have much power as the penultimate world.
-Worlds 9 (Factory) and 10 (Secret) should be redone, since both of them look very crammed together just to represent levels without looking like what they're supposed to be.

There have been more comments from others about the overworld, but his were more thorough and detailed enough to add here.

Discord discussions have popped up involving the overworld, and some suggestions included making the World 10 map change as you go further down the map via ASM, adding roller coaster cart sprites on the World 6 map, making exanimated shores for the main map and World 3 submap, etc. Katrina has also returned to help draw and update the graphics she made for the SMWCP2 overworld, and is taking suggestions.

If you want to make more suggestions or discuss how to improve this overworld map further, feel free to add them here.
I think it could look nice if we added some moving decorations, like in SMB3, ex: Having Moving Palmtrees on the beach and desert map. Another thing for the Carnival Map, maybe we could add some balloons, that could really liven up that map. I did have one idea for the Fire/Ice map. We could try to add a gradient sky
that uses shades of red and black. That could really set a tone for the map.
From the looks of it, i would keep part of the overworld and the oriental map (Adding more oriental elements, like gates). Scrap and redo everything else.



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Originally posted by Ludus
From the looks of it, I would keep part of the overworld and the oriental map (Adding more oriental elements, like gates). Scrap and redo everything else.


Well, from the discussions we've had on the SMWCP2 Discord server, we're considering doing that. Except for the Carnival world map, since we think all it needs is some major tweaks instead of a complete do-over like the rest of the maps.

For the main map, thanks to how we have a lot more graphics space, we'll probably add a lot more stuff, like possibly some animated shores, a larger autumnal tree for Alboreal Ascent, and a whole bunch more. The Oriental Map could use a gate or two to spice it up (like maybe a Tori gate if we can fit it somewhere), and the carnival map needs...well, more. And better rollercoaster formatting.
Just so you know, I'm very active on the site anymore like I was before; I'm mainly on Discord now.
Can the Overworld border be updated? It is one of the few things that is unchanged.
That's a great question, Raymondsze. However, the overworld border is already good enough as-is. The only thing I would likely change are the bushes at the bottom; they look pretty weird, even though that's Ladida's art style.

But, since I'm here, I shall show off some changes I made to the Main Map, as well as my overworld map, Blossom Boroughs.



The main map is pretty much finished, aside from maybe a few custom overworld sprites, but that's about it otherwise.

Blossom Boroughs might be subject to change in some areas, but I did make some major changes to it.
Just so you know, I'm very active on the site anymore like I was before; I'm mainly on Discord now.
Can I see the updated World 6 overworld? I want to see the graphics changes for that overworld.

Extras



I should have something witty to put here (even if it's just to update dated info), shouldn't I?

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It'll be shown when it's ready.

I'm not sure if this counts as overworld-related, but are there any plans to add world and level numbers to the level names? You know, 1-1, 1-2, etc. The double-line overworld level name patch could come in handy for that.

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I'm working on a hack! Check it out here. Progress: 64/95 levels.
Originally posted by imamelia
I'm not sure if this counts as overworld-related, but are there any plans to add world and level numbers to the level names? You know, 1-1, 1-2, etc. The double-line overworld level name patch could come in handy for that.


It really isn't necessary. You can already tell what level is what, I.E. Pon-Pon Palace is 3-A and Shemni-Frica Sea is 3-B.
Just so you know, I'm very active on the site anymore like I was before; I'm mainly on Discord now.
Let me just say, I absolutely love the changes made to the main overworld. When I was first asked to design it years ago, it was kind of a struggle trying to figure out how to make certain things work with the kind of limits we had.

New graphic slots, ExAnim, and all that jazz really makes a difference here. I’m so excited to see the project evolving alongside the new capabilities.
Originally known as A Yoshi (2006-2009), Aquifer (2010-2011), and Azurik (2012-2014).